A County Hall motion calling for ‘proactive action’ to challenge and reduce stigma around mental health and suicide was passed unanimously on Wednesday night.
Ventnor and St Lawrence representative Councillor Ed Blake’s plea for mental health to be prioritised received a warm reception from Full Council, one of the Isle of Wight council’s most important decision-making bodies.
Blake: Asked if I could help
Councillor Blake (Con) told Full Council,
“Over the last year, three young men that I grew up with have taken their own lives.
“My cousin came to me – he knew two of them – he said, ‘Is there anything you can do as a councillor?’
“So I spoke to families and friends of people that have been affected – not only who have lost people, but also people who were almost lost.
“I got a meeting with Simon Bryant, director of public health at the Isle of Wight council, and Sue Cochrane, the council’s suicide lead, which was very helpful.
“Out of it has come this motion.”
The motion
His proposal said,
“This Council believes as a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling the stigma that exists on the Island around mental health and suicide.
“Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility.
“All councillors, whether members of the executive or scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis.”
Four actions
It also listed four actions to be taken: promoting training for everyone around mental health and suicide, increased funding for support services, developing and promoting community-based support programmes and peer networks and collaborating with local businesses and organisations, including engaging them to promote mental health initiatives in the community and workplaces.
Lilley: When we talk about funding, mental health services are in crisis
Councillor Michael Lilley (LibDem), representative for Ryde Appley and Elmfield, said,
“I’d like to thank Councillor Blake for bringing this forward. I am currently supporting a family that lost a life recently.
“This brings incredible grief not only for families, but for whole communities.
“Very poignantly, yesterday, it was International Men’s Day. Men are nearly 80 per cent of these deaths, on the Island it’s nearly 90 per cent.
“When we talk about funding, mental health services across the Island and UK are in crisis.
“We need to get all the parties – and I hope the Isle of Wight Council takes a lead – to talk about this funding issue.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
